Summer in Elkhart Lake, Part 4

A lot sure can happen in a month!  Since my last EL specific post, we've spent 2 weeks at a lake front cottage, had all 4 grandparents here, had our friends from SF here, been to CA for a week, and celebrated the end of summer by entertaining the idea of fall.  Having spent the last 8 years living in the bay area, where summer is just starting to get under way this time of year, I'm having a hard time accepting that summer is ending in the majority of the country.  We're starting to see the first hints of leaves turning, and today, the kids and I went to a pumpkin/apple farm with Tracy, Aden and Adalin.  It has been a fabulous summer, packed full of fun and plenty of beach days!  We're looking forward to the upcoming weekend signifying summer's end, planning a trip to Bay Beach in Green Bay, more time at the lake here, and we'll check out the Sheboygan County Fair, before heading back to CA for a stint.  Our past month in pictures:

I think this first photo is actually from the beginning of Summer, but we've been lucky to get to have the whole family together so much this summer!

Another lovely day at the Village Beach with the Elkhart Lake Anderson Clan.  Gus had fallen asleep in the stroller/carseat, so he kept his turtle shell on for the photo.  Poor kid is going to think he lived in there when he looks back on his baby photos some day.

3 generations

During Andrew's vacation, we rented a cottage on the lake, in what used to be Elkhart's first Lakeside resort: Sharpe's.  It was almost perfect, and made us wish it was ours!  We stayed there for two weeks, and enjoyed having my parents come stay for a week, and our friends, the Geerdinks, for a couple of days.  And of course Andrew's family came to play too!

A drooly, happy Gus Gus

Andrew was happy to see some white caps one morning, and fortunately on a Sunday when the lake is closed to motors.  Makes for some serene days and happy sailors!

"Go Dada!" (Arjen would yell this from our Lake Cottage every time he saw Andrew sail by)

From the pier on the Cottage property, we could see across the lake towards Victorian Village

Wayne, Andrew, and Arden, pleased they could launch right off the Sharpe's beach

I couldn't resist capturing happily sleeping babes. 

Fortunately, these kids don't seem to mind sleeping in different beds or homes on a regular basis!

Yes, that is Grandpa Dave, sporting a camping-slash-love-for-Rafa beard

Captain Arjen directing the Kayak traffic

Arjen wasn't too thrilled with the rocking of the paddle board while I stood up, so we did some sit down paddling instead

"Prost!" We enjoyed many a meal on the screened in porch with the lake view.

Arjen and Frits really got to have fun actually playing together this visit now that they're almost two years old!  No more parallel play for these big boys!

More of Gus's gummy smiles.  Aahh, love.  :)

Putting my own vanity aside, I just had to share this moment that Gus and I had.

If only we knew what the shared look means.  

First Father-Son fishing trip

Gus and Gma Cherie basking in the sunset glow

Our nightly sunset view.  :) 

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and here we are at the end of summer.  Arjen, Gus and I joined Tracy, Arden and Aden for a last hurrah of summer before those guys start school next week.  The took us to "Little Farmer", an apple orchard/pumpkin patch just north of Fond du Lac.  Needless to say, we all had fun!